NIGERIA VS COTE D’ IVOIRE Eaglets target World Cup ticket

A win today for Nigeria against Cote d’Ivoire at the African U17 Championship will guarantee them a place at the World Cup in UAE.

Nigeria lead Group B after they thrashed Ghana 6-1 on Sunday, while both Cote d’Ivoire and Congo cancelled themselves out in a 1-1 draw.

Mathematically, Nigeria would be through to the World Cup with a win against the Ivorians irrespective of the outcome of their last game against Congo on Saturday as they could either place first or second in the final analysis-all the semi-finalists automatically qualify for the World Cup.

Coach Manu Garba said it was important to beat a physical Ivorian side and seal their World Cup qualification on Wednesday.

“We are happy that we won our first game against Ghana, but winning the second game against Cote d’Ivoire is very important because it would take us to the World Cup. I saw a bit of their match against Congo and the Ivorians are not a bad side though they are physical but we know how to handle such team,” Garba said.

The Eaglets coach said he has high hopes for this tournament.

“We have prepared well for this championship,” he said matter-of-factly. “We have not lost a match since we assembled this team and we are certainly not ready to lose now.

“My confidence is reinforced in their ability against any team following how they handled a big team such as Al Sadd of Doha, a team that had won the Asian Champions League in the past complete with a great player like Raul Gonzalez.”

Leading goal scorer Isaac Success, who grabbed a remarkable four goals against the Black Starlets, has equally promised to score more goals to ensure the team’s passage to the World Cup.

“I have not set any personal targets at this tournament, but what is important is for us to beat Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday, “said Success, who has been nicknamed Nasara (which translates to success in an Arabic and Hausa language) by coach Manu.

“Of course, I will score by the grace of God if I get the opportunity but I can’t predict the score line against Cote d’Ivoire. What is important to us as a team is the maximum three points.”

The centre referee is 30-year-old Mozambican Samuel Chirindza, who was enlisted as an international referee by the world’s soccer ruling body, FIFA in 2010. He would be assisted by compatriot, Arsénio Marengula, who is aged 30 and appointed by FIFA in 2010.

The second assistant and fourth official are Bienvenu Dina and Rainhold Shikongo who are from Benin and Namibia respectively.